Can EAL Students Get Extra Time in the Selective Exam?

Can EAL students get extra time in the selective exam? Not automatically. Speaking English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) by itself is not treated as a disability adjustment that unlocks extra time. Reasonable adjustments on NSW and VIC selective pathways are for disability, medical, or injury-related needs — requested with evidence through the official application process.

NSW Selective and OC

The NSW Department of Education invites parents to request reasonable adjustments when a child has a disability or medical condition that affects fair access to the test (for example vision, ADHD, physical disability, anaphylaxis planning). Extra time can be among adjustments considered when documented and typically already used in school assessments / NAPLAN-style settings. See the official reasonable adjustments page.

EAL background alone is not listed as an automatic extra-time category. If your child has both EAL needs and a diagnosed disability that attracts school adjustments, apply on the disability/medical basis with supporting evidence — do not assume language background is enough.

Victorian ACER selective entry

ACER publishes special arrangements processes for candidates who need adjustments. Dictionaries and translation devices are on the prohibited list for exam day. Apply early through the official ACER / Department channels for your cycle; do not bring unapproved aids. Format overview: VIC exam format.

What EAL families should do instead of hoping for extra time

• Build reading stamina and vocabulary with wide reading months ahead.
• Practise verbal reasoning and reading under the real time limits.
• For NSW, rehearse computer-based navigation (CBT guide).
• If a disability adjustment is genuinely needed, request it in the application with evidence before the closing date.

Practice under real timing

Extra time is not a planning assumption. Train at published section lengths. EduSpark offers 1 free paper per subject — free practice papers or subjects. Related FAQs: test length, is the NSW test hard.